Alternative Names

Causes

Shigella sonnei, also called "group D" shigella, is responsible for most cases of shigellosis in the United States.

Shigella flexneri, or "group B" shigella, causes almost all other cases.

Shigella dysenteriae, or "group A" shigella is rare in the United States, but can lead to deadly outbreaks in developing countries.

People infected with the bacteria release it into their stool. They can spread the bacteria to water or food, or directly to another person. Getting just a little bit of the shigella bacteria into your mouth is enough to cause infection.

Outbreaks of shigellosis are linked with poor sanitation, contaminated food and water, and crowded living conditions.

Shigellosis is common among travelers in developing countries and workers or residents in refugee camps.

In the United States, the condition is most commonly seen in daycare centers and places where groups of people live, such as nursing homes.

Symptoms

Symptoms often develop about 1 to 7 days (average 3 days) after coming into contact with the bacteria.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) that are lost in diarrhea.

Medicines that stop diarrhea are generally not given because they can cause the infection to take longer to go away.

Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions to replace the fluids lost by diarrhea. Several varieties of electrolyte solutions are available over-the-counter (without a prescription).

Antibiotics can help shorten the length of the illness and help prevent it from spreading to others in group living or daycare settings. They may also be prescribed for people with severe symptoms.

If you have diarrhea and cannot drink fluids by mouth because of severe nausea, you may need medical attention and intravenous (IV) fluids. This is especially common in small children who have shigellosis.

People who take diuretics ("water pills") may need to stop taking these medicines if they have acute shigella enteritis. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The infection is often mild and goes away on its own. Most people, except malnourished children and those with weakened immune systems, recover fully.

Possible Complications

About 1 in 10 children with severe shigella enteritis develop nervous system problems. These may include febrile seizures (also called a "fever fit") when body temperature rises quickly and the child has seizures, or a brain disease (encephalopathy) with headache, lethargy, confusion, and stiff neck.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if diarrhea does not improve, if there is blood in the stool, or if there are signs of dehydration.

Go to the emergency room if these symptoms occur in a person with shigellosis:

Confusion

Headache with stiff neck

Lethargy

Seizures

These symptoms are most common in children.

Prevention

Prevention includes properly handling, storing, and preparing food, and good personal hygiene. Handwashing is the most effective way to prevent shigellosis. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated.

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